The Minister of Defence, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, has formally handed over the leadership of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) Policy Organs to the Republic of Uganda, transferring the chairmanship of the Council of Ministers of Defence and the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Forces to the representative of the Ugandan Minister of Defence and Commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces Land Forces, Lt. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga. The handover took place during the 35th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of Defence of EASF Member States.
Minister Fiqi expressed his appreciation to EASF Member States for the close cooperation and productive collaboration extended to Somalia during its tenure as Chair, underscoring that the Federal Government of Somalia remains firmly committed to continued support, active participation, and meaningful contribution to collective regional efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in Eastern Africa.
The Federal Republic of Somalia held the Chairmanship of the EASF Policy Organs for a one-year term, during which it responsibly discharged its duties and hosted EASF meetings on two occasions, reflecting the confidence placed in Somalia’s role in regional security and defence cooperation.
The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) is a regional mechanism comprising military, police, and civilian components, mandated to respond to emergency security situations, peace support operations, and humanitarian crises within Member States of the region.
